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A Practical Guide to Getting Started with Acrylic Paint→
A Practical Guide to Getting Started with Acrylic Paint Know the pace of the medium Acrylic paint is valued for its flexibility and its relatively quick…
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Notes
From the Archive
When one article matches the question, follow its topic links afterward.
How to Store and Protect Art Supplies Between Sessions
How to Store and Protect Art Supplies Between Sessions Create simple storage zones Remove paint from brushes and palette knives using methods appropriate to the medium. Reshape brush heads and allow tools to dry as needed. Do not close damp tools in airtight containers unless their instructions specifically allow it. Routine cleaning helps…
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Mixing
How to Choose Watercolor Paints for Your Practice
How to Choose Watercolor Paints for Your Practice Start with the way you paint A practical starting palette includes a warm and a cool option in the main…
Read Article›A Beginner’s Guide to Oil Painting Supplies
A Beginner’s Guide to Oil Painting Supplies Plan a simple working setup Brush shape influences the edge, texture, and direction of a stroke. Flat shapes can make broad marks and defined edges; round shapes can help with lines and smaller forms; filbert shapes offer a softer edge. The…
A Practical Guide to Getting Started with Acrylic Paint›
A Practical Guide to Getting Started with Acrylic Paint Know the pace of the medium Acrylic paint is valued for its flexibility and its relatively quick drying time. Work in planned sections, mix only what you need, and keep the palette organized so that…
Continue ReadingBrushes
How to Choose Watercolor Brushes by Shape and Purpose↗
Selecting Brushes for Oil and Acrylic Painting Begin with the painting surface The surface and the way you apply paint influence which brush feels right. Consider the scale of the work too: large areas are easier to cover with broader tools, while small forms need greater control.…
Organization
How to Organize Brushes and Keep Them Ready to Use
How to Organize Brushes and Keep Them Ready to Use Organize around workflow Before leaving the studio, return clean, dry brushes to their places and remove residue from…
Open ArticleMixing
Using Palette Knives for Mixing and Expressive Marks
Using Palette Knives for Mixing and Expressive Marks Understand the two main roles Knife marks can add contrast to softer brushwork, emphasize a focal area, or suggest a surface without describing every detail. Reserve the strongest marks for areas where they contribute to the composition, and…
Read the Full PostHow to Choose Paper for Drawing and Painting
How to Choose Paper for Drawing and Painting Match paper to the medium Create a sample grid using the tools and techniques you plan to use. Keep samples with notes so future choices are based on…
Building a Practical Drawing and Illustration Kit
Building a Practical Drawing and Illustration Kit Start with the work you want to make A drawing kit should support the kinds of images you actually create. Quick sketches, precise line drawings, shaded studies, and mixed-media illustrations require…
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Setup
How to Choose an Easel for Your Workspace
How to Choose an Easel for Your Workspace Think about where you work The right easel depends on whether you paint at a fixed studio station, move between rooms, or work outdoors. Consider the floor space…
View Full Article→Canvas or Painting Panel: How to Choose a Surface
Canvas or Painting Panel: How to Choose a Surface Decide how you want the surface to respond Some artists prefer to sketch directly on the surface, while others make a preliminary drawing elsewhere. Keep the surface clean and avoid touching…
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A Better Way to Mix Colors on an Artist’s Palette
A Better Way to Mix Colors on an Artist’s Palette Arrange colors for a clear workflow Before combining paints, decide what the mixture needs to do: match a reference, create a shadow, soften a bright hue, or connect two areas of a painting. It is easier to adjust…
Porcelain or Plastic Palette: What Should You Consider?
Porcelain or Plastic Palette: What Should You Consider? Compare the way each surface feels Palette material can influence how paint spreads, how easy it is to see mixtures, and how the surface feels during cleanup. Actual…
How to Set Up a Folding Palette for Painting Away from Home→
How to Set Up a Folding Palette for Painting Away from Home Plan a compact color selection A folding palette is most useful when its contents are planned for the session. A smaller selection is easier to monitor and leaves room for practical mixtures. For an unfamiliar subject,…
Open Article↗Organization
Organizing a Watercolor Tin for Efficient Painting
Organizing a Watercolor Tin for Efficient Painting Build a palette around subjects A compact watercolor tin works best when the selected colors fit the subjects you paint. A familiar limited palette can be more versatile than a crowded selection. Landscapes may call for a different balance from portraits or urban sketches, but…
Continue Reading16
Mixing
When Paper Palettes Are Useful for Painting
When Paper Palettes Are Useful for Painting Understand the purpose A disposable paper palette can provide a temporary surface for mixing paint and may simplify cleanup when used with compatible materials. Check the product guidance and consider whether the surface holds the paint in a way that allows…
Read the Full Post17Supplies
Building a Compact Art Kit for Sketching and Painting
Building a Compact Art Kit for Sketching and Painting Choose a purpose before packing A portable kit should support a specific kind of session. A quick drawing walk, a color study, and a longer painting outing need different supplies. Packing for every possible situation can make the kit heavy and harder…
Choosing a Brush Holder for a Small Art Space
Choosing a Brush Holder for a Small Art Space Measure the space first Paint residue can collect at the base and around dividers. This prevents a storage solution from becoming a source of mess or damage. Empty and clean the holder periodically according to its material, and return…
Practicing Smooth Watercolor Washes with the Right Tools
Practicing Smooth Watercolor Washes with the Right Tools Prepare a small practice sheet Try the same wash with different brush shapes or paper surfaces, changing one variable at a time. The goal is not to find one perfect setup but to understand the options available. Note…
Mixing
Planning Layers in an Acrylic Painting
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Managing Color Mixing in Oil Painting
Managing Color Mixing in Oil Painting Set up the palette clearly Combine a little of one color with another and test the mixture before making a larger quantity. If the mixture becomes too strong,…
Selecting a Surface for Mixed Drawing and Illustration
Selecting a Surface for Mixed Drawing and Illustration List the materials in your process Fine linework often benefits from a surface that allows the tool to move predictably, while textured paper can add character…
A Simple Palette-Cleaning Routine for Artists
A Simple Palette-Cleaning Routine for Artists Identify the paint and palette type Work over a protected surface and keep cleaning materials organized. Keep the area ventilated when required and prevent children or pets from reaching supplies during cleanup. Avoid sending paint or…